Michael A. Caldero and Anthony P. Larose
This paper reports the results of a 1992 City of Tacoma, Washington study of police values which was designed to test similar research conducted by Milton Rokeach in 1971. Our…
Abstract
This paper reports the results of a 1992 City of Tacoma, Washington study of police values which was designed to test similar research conducted by Milton Rokeach in 1971. Our data support the hypothesis that individual value systems are more important than occupational socialization in understanding police selection and behavior. Value patterns not only were consistent over time, but also reflected a pattern of conservative beliefs. This work suggests that any attempt to reform or improve police community relations must begin with the restructuring of recruiting practices and the re‐socialization of police practitioners.
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Michael E. Meyer and Jean Steyn
The article aims to report on an examination of South African Police Service (SAPS) recruits for indicators evincing the presence of the police culture theme of isolation. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The article aims to report on an examination of South African Police Service (SAPS) recruits for indicators evincing the presence of the police culture theme of isolation. The research also seeks to determine if the presence of isolation as characteristic of SAPS recruits is gender neutral as well as whether indicators of social isolation change over the period of basic recruit training as well as during the first period of encounter, field training.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a survey format, the research employs a quasi‐experimental pre‐test/post‐test repeated measures research (longitudinal) design: a pre‐test at the beginning of SAPS recruit basic training; post‐test at the end of the SAPS basic training; and a second post‐test upon completion field training.
Findings
Although there is significant variance among the police recruits, overall there are indicators of police isolation already present among the recruits upon arrival at the police training colleges. These indicators became stronger during the period of basic training but appeared to weaken during field training. However, upon closer observation this change was true only for female recruits. Indicators of isolation were also stronger among female recruits at all three times despite the decrease following field training.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that the basic training be evaluated for its differential, and somewhat negative, impact on female recruits. That attitudes evincing isolation from the public are present among police recruits also raises a serious question regarding community policing as the preferred mode of police service delivery.
Originality/value
This paper reports on a preliminary investigation of the police culture theme of isolation among South African Police Service recruits entering basic police training in January of 2005 and changes that may have occurred in these attitudes over the period of the six‐month basic training and the subsequent six‐month field training experience.
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Jessica Huff, Michael D. White and Scott H. Decker
Many examinations of police misconduct involve case study methodologies applied to a single agency, or a handful of agencies. Consequently, there is little evidence regarding the…
Abstract
Purpose
Many examinations of police misconduct involve case study methodologies applied to a single agency, or a handful of agencies. Consequently, there is little evidence regarding the types of misconduct across agencies, or the impact of department-level characteristics on the nature and prevalence of officer deviance. The purpose of this paper is to address this research gap using statewide data of over 1,500 charges of police misconduct filed with the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST) from 2000 to 2011.
Design/methodology/approach
This study examines variation in the prevalence and forms of misconduct across 100+ agencies based on agency type and size. Difference scores were calculated for every agency in the state to determine whether an agency’s level of misconduct was proportionate to the number of officers employed by that agency. AZPOST data were supplemented with Law Enforcement Management and Statistics data to identify organizational correlates of misconduct in agencies generating disproportionately low and high levels of misconduct.
Findings
Results identify variation in officer misconduct across different types of agencies. Tribal agencies generally experience higher rates of domestic violence and drug/alcohol-related incidents. Smaller agencies have more misconduct allegations involving supervisors. Organizational characteristics including pre-hiring screening, accountability mechanisms and community relationships are associated with lower levels of agency misconduct.
Originality/value
The use of AZPOST data enables a statewide examination of misconduct while accounting for organizational context. This study identifies organizational features that might serve to protect agencies against disproportionate rates of officer misbehavior.
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Sarah Abraham, Frances P. Abderhalden and Matthew C. Matusiak
This study aims to examine the relationships between handlers and (canine) K9. Understanding the influence of well-being and stress (general, occupational and home) is a first…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the relationships between handlers and (canine) K9. Understanding the influence of well-being and stress (general, occupational and home) is a first step in understanding the performance of K9 units in law enforcement.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods approach employing semi-structured interviews and quantitative surveys. This approach assessed the relationship between handlers and K9s, while capturing context and the nuanced nature of these partnerships.
Findings
Handlers agree that K9 can detect handlers' general stress, which potentially impacts K9 performance. Occupational stress influences handler/K9 abilities, however, handlers did not agree on all individual behaviors contributing to this stress. Finally, handlers stressed the importance of K9 units training together and suggested supervisors do not always appreciate the importance of joint training sessions.
Originality/value
As specialized units, K9s are often overlooked in policing scholarship, but serve a substantial large role in the missions of safety and security. Little is known about the dynamics of handler/K9 relationships.
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Nicholas Michael Perez, Max Bromley and John Cochran
The purpose of this paper is to suggest that the environment in which law enforcement officers operate is a main source of their job satisfaction, which is related to their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to suggest that the environment in which law enforcement officers operate is a main source of their job satisfaction, which is related to their overall work performance. In this line of research, a recent study by Johnson (2015) examined the organizational, job, and officer characteristics that may predict a police officer’s organizational commitment.
Design/methodology/approach
The current study replicates and extends the analyses performed in that study using an alternative data source to understand the influence of these measures on sheriff deputies’ organizational commitment during their organization’s shift to community-oriented policing.
Findings
Our results, while similar to those of Johnson (2015), revealed some unique findings. For example, in the current analyses, several organizational- and job- factors were significantly associated with deputies’ commitment to the sheriffs’ office. Specifically, deputies who report receiving higher supervisor feedback, higher peer cohesion, higher job variety and autonomy, and lower job-related stress were more highly committed to their law enforcement agency.
Practical implications
Key implications emerge for police administrators aspiring to influence employee organizational commitment during major agency shifts.
Originality/value
Overall, the present paper largely supports and progresses the findings of Johnson (2015) by extending them to sheriffs’ deputies, who are still largely underrepresented in policing research, and to an agency undergoing a dramatic organizational change. As such, the present study represents an important next step in understanding the factors that influence organizational commitment in law enforcement organizations.
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G.W. Burnett and Muzaffer Uysal
Tourism, since it involves the movement of people from country to country and results in frequent economic, social and cultural exchanges, is likely to be a force contributing to…
Abstract
Tourism, since it involves the movement of people from country to country and results in frequent economic, social and cultural exchanges, is likely to be a force contributing to world peace. In October 1988, scholars and practitioners from a variety of fields gathered in Vancouver, Canada, to consider this proposition for the first time (D'Amore and Jafari 1988). Their deliberations focused to an exceptional degree on the Third World, where most armed conflict has been conducted over the past four decades and where tourism is anticipated to improve weak economic performance and generate much needed foreign exchange.